Prendi, per me sei libero

OperaPulse’s Aria of the Week – This week the spotlight is on the beautiful aria, “Prendi, per me sei libero,” from Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’amore. We’ve lined up six singers for your listening pleasure – past and present.

In this aria, Adina, who until this point in the opera has shown very little interest in Nemorino, has purchased his enlistment papers in an effort to make him stay since she has discovered that she does, in fact, love him. She encourages him to remain at home where everyone loves him. The aria demands a great deal of vocal acrobatics from the soprano with it’s tremendous range and rigorous coloratura. Enjoy!